CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People – March 8, 2021

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations on activities that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely resume. The new guidance, which CDC based on the latest science thru March 3, 2021, includes recommendations for how and when a fully vaccinated individual can visit with other people who are fully vaccinated and with other people who are not vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccination is a critical prevention measure to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to CDC Guidelines

While some prevention measures will continue to be necessary regardless of vaccination status, fully vaccinated individuals may be able to engage in some activities with low or reduced risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19.

If you’ve been fully vaccinated, you can:

• Visit with other fully vaccinated individuals indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart.
• Visit with unvaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart if everyone in the other household is at low risk for severe disease.
• Refrain from quarantine and testing if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 after contact with someone who has COVID-19.

What Hasn’t Changed

According to the CDC, while the new guidance is a positive step, the vast majority of people need to be fully vaccinated before COVID-19 precautions can be lifted broadly. Until then, it is important that everyone continues to adhere to the following public health mitigation measures to protect the large number of people who remain unvaccinated:

• Wear a well-fitted mask.
• Stay at least 6 feet from people with whom you do not live.
• Avoid medium and large sized in-person gatherings.
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Follow guidance issued by individual employers.
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.

The CDC has not yet addressed how widespread vaccinations will affect health and safety restrictions in the workplace. OSHA Review will continue to provide guidance as new information and clarification becomes available.